Denmark

Denmark is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of government located in Northern Europe bordering the Baltic and North Sea. The country contains Jutland, a large peninsula, and many major and minor islands. The Kingdom of Denmark is comprised of Denmark, Greenland, and the Faroe Islands.

Denmark is known for having the world's highest level of income equality and in a survey that measured health, welfare, and education, Denmark was ranked as the happiest place in the world. In 2009, Denmark was ranked by the Global Peace Index to be the second most peaceful country in the world and was also ranked by the Corruption Perceptions Index as one of the least corrupt countries in the world.

The national language of Denmark is Danish, which is closely related to fellow Scandinavian languages Swedish and Norwegian.

History

Denmark has been inhabited since around 12,500 BCE. Archaeological finds show that agriculture has been used since 3,000 BCE. Danes were among those known as the Viking during the Viking Age, helping discover Iceland, Greenland, and Vinland.

During the Reformation, Lutherans took power after a civil war in 1533 when King Frederick I died and two men claimed the throne â€“ one backed by Lutherans and the other backed by Catholics.

Denmark was neutral during World War I, but it was invaded by Germany during World War II. After the war, Denmark became one of the founding members of the United Nations and NATO.

Culture

Denmark is known for its socially progressive culture, being the first to legalize pornography and the first to grant same-sex couples with nearly all the same rights of heterosexual marriage.

Copenhagen, the capital city, has many attractions, such as gardens, churches, castles, and palaces. Hans Christian Anderson, Henrik Pontoppidan, Niels Bohr, and SÃ¸ren Kierkegaard are among the most famous Danes outside of Denmark.

Cuisine

Meat and fish are the most widely consumed food in Denmark. Open-faced sandwiches are very popular. A soup or porridge usually precedes the main meal of the day and dessert usually follows the meal. The largest meal of the way would usually be served in the evenings and would contain a meat, a form of starch, and salad or cabbage. When guests are present in a home, a welcome drink is usually served as well.

Things to Know

Higher education is free in Denmark. There is no tuition or fees for university courses. Denmark is a welfare state. It has a 25% value added tax and also follows the progressive income tax model.